Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K38/00—Medicinal preparations containing peptides
  • A61K38/16—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof
  • A61K38/17—Peptides having more than 20 amino acids; Gastrins; Somatostatins; Melanotropins; Derivatives thereof from animals; from humans
  • A61K38/19—Cytokines; Lymphokines; Interferons
  • A61K38/21—Interferons [IFN]
  • A61K38/212—IFN-alpha
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61K—PREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
  • A61K47/00—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient
  • A61K47/50—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates
  • A61K47/51—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent
  • A61K47/56—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule
  • A61K47/59—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyureas or polyurethanes
  • A61K47/60—Medicinal preparations characterised by the non-active ingredients used, e.g. carriers or inert additives; Targeting or modifying agents chemically bound to the active ingredient the non-active ingredient being chemically bound to the active ingredient, e.g. polymer-drug conjugates the non-active ingredient being a modifying agent the modifying agent being an organic macromolecular compound, e.g. an oligomeric, polymeric or dendrimeric molecule obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyureas or polyurethanes the organic macromolecular compound being a polyoxyalkylene oligomer, polymer or dendrimer, e.g. PEG, PPG, PEO or polyglycerol

Definitions

• the present invention relates to novel 5 compositions and methods for the oral delivery of chemically modified proteins.
• the term “protein is here used interchangeably with the term “polypeptide” unless otherwise indicated) .
• the present invention relates to novel compositions and methods for the oral delivery of chemically modified proteins.
• the present invention relates to novel compositions and methods for oral delivery of chemically modified granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) , and, in yet another aspect, particularly, oral delivery of G-CSF.
• G-CSF chemically modified granulocyte colony stimulating factor
• the present invention also relates to compositions and methods for oral delivery of chemically modified consensus interferon, and, viewed as another aspect, oral delivery of pegylated consensus interferon. In addition, methods of treatment using such
• compositions and methods for producing such compositions, are also disclosed.
• injection is the typical mode of 25 administering a biologically active protein to the blood stream. Injection, however, is undesireable in many instances. The recipient, of course, may experience discomfort or pain, and may have to travel to a trained practitioner for the injection. For these reasons and 30 others there may be problems with patient compliance f using injection as a mode of administration.
• Oral administration has been problematic, 35 however, for a variety of reasons.
• One major concern is the degradation of the biologically active protein in the gut.
• Protease inhibitors have been proposed.
• various pharmaceutical preparations of oral dosage forms for various proteins which protect the protein from degradation e.g., EP 0 459 795, entitled "Oral dosage form of biologically active proteins," (see also, co-pending U.S.S.N. 07/994,076, entitled. Oral Dosage Form of Biologically Active Proteins) , herein incorporated by reference.
• microemulsions have been claimed for the oral delivery of such therapeutics as insulin, calcitonin and somatotrophin or growth factors.
• PCT Publication No. WO 90/03164 Additionally, the oral delivery of therapeutics using liposomes has been investigated, see Aramaki et al., Pharm. Res. 1H: 1228-1231 (1993).
• the liposomes were composed of distearoylphosphadtidylcholine, phosphatidylserine, and cholesterol or dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylserine and cholesterol which were stable in the gut and appeared to be taken up by the Peyers patches in the lower ileum. To date, despite the above reports, oral dosage forms of biologically active proteins are not widely in clinical use.
• the digestive process is, by definition, hostile to any ingested protein.
• the gastrointestinal tract is an organ developed to both physically and chemically break down ingested nutrients and is responsible for their uptake into the body and for the elimination of waste.
• Ingested food is immediately degraded in the stomach by the combination of low pH, typically 1-3 (Dotevall, G., et al. Acta Med. Scand., 170. 59. 1961) and strong peristaltic contractions which maintain the nutrients in the stomach while continuing to physically break down the food.
• protease pepsin is secreted into the lumen of the stomach from the gastric chief cells.
• the result of this extremely hostile environment is that the food is eventually released into the small intestine, specifically the duodenum, through the pylorus as small particles of ⁇ 1 mm or less (Mayer, E.A., et al. Gastroenterology, £2, 1264-1271, 1984) .
• the pH of the stomach contents entering the duodenum is rapidly elevated to pH 5-7 by bicarbonate in the bile and pancreatic secretions.
• endoproteases trypsin, chymotrypsin and elastase are released into the duodenal lumen along with many enzymes for the digestion of polysaccharides and lipids.
• the products of these proteases are generally small peptides and these in turn are hydrolyzed to amino acids prior to absorption by exopeptidases in the brush border of the enterocytes lining the intestine (for reviews see Kenny, A.J. and Fulcher, I.S., In: Brush Border Membranes, edited by R. Porter and G. M. Collins, pp 12-33, 1983 and Tobey, N., et al. Gastroenterology, 88: . 913-926 (1985) .
• the products of digestion are generally absorbed through active uptake processes for amino acids and for monosacchorides, while others, specifically lipids, are absorbed by a more passive diffusion process into the enterocytes lining the gut. Active uptake processes are also known to exist for some vitamins and other larger but essential nutritive factors which are unable to be passively absorbed. However, for most large molecules the enterocyte lining of the gut lumen is an inpenetrable barrier which cannot be crossed.
• the enterocyte lining of the intestine absorbs digestion products.
• G-CSF granulocyte colony stimulating factor
• Human G-CSF can be obtained and purified from a number of sources. Natural human G-CSF (nhG-CSF) can be isolated from the supernatants of cultured human tumor cell lines. The recombinant production of G-CSF enabled sufficient amounts of G-CSF with desired therapeutic qualities (recombinant production is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,810,643 (Souza, incorporated herein by reference) . Recombinant human G-CSF (rhG-CSF) has been successfully used in the clinic for restoration of immune function after chemotherapy and radiation therapy, and in chronic settings, such as severe chronic neutropenia.
• the recombinant human G-CSF (generic name, Filgrastim) is sold commercially in the United States under the brand name Neupogen®, and is administered by injection or infusion. Proteins may be protected against proteolysis by the attachment of chemical moieties. Such attachment may effectively block the proteolytic enzyme from physical contact with the protein backbone itself, and thus prevent degradation. Polyethylene glycol is one such chemical moiety which has been shown to protect against proteolysis. Sada, et al., J. Fermentation Bioengineering 21 137-139 (1991) .
• G-CSF and analogs thereof have also reportedly been modified.
• EP 0 473 268, Continuous Release Pharmaceutical Compositions Comprising a Polypeptide Covalently Conjugated To A Water Soluble Polymer, " reportedly describes the use of various G-CSF and derivatives covalently conjugated to a water soluble particle polymer, such as polyethylene glycol. Of course, with additional chemical moieties attached, the biologically active molecule is enlarged.
• Co-pending USSN 08/321,510 discloses N-terminally chemically modified protein compositions and methods, including modification of G-CSF and chemical modification of another protein, consensus interferon.
• chemically modified consensus interferon has demonstrated biological activity, such as anti-viral activity.
• An oral dosage formulation of chemically modified consensus interferon, the subject of another working example described below would also be desirable.
• the present invention is directed to the oral administration of a chemically modified protein, and delivery of the protein to the blood stream for therapeutic effect.
• chemically modified biologically active proteins may survive in the intestine (with or without additional formulation) , and pass through the lining of the intestine to the blood stream.
• pegylated G-CSF not only did the protein survive, but it produced observable biological effects.
• pegylated G-CSF is administered directly to the intestine.
• the animals tested uniformly exhibited higher total white blood cell counts than animals treated with non-pegylated G-CSF or vehicle. While the precise mechanisms are not defined, initial observations indicate that the chemical modification prevents proteolysis of the protein, and slows the clearance rate of the protein from the systemic circulation.
• one aspect of the present invention relates to compositions for the oral administration of a chemically modified G-CSF.
• Another aspect of the present invention relates to pegylated G-CSF in a pharmaceutically acceptable oral dosage formulation.
• G-CSF useful in the practice of this invention may be a form isolated from mammalian organisms or, alternatively, a product of chemical synthetic procedures or of prokaryotic or eukaryotic host expression of exogenous DNA sequences obtained by genomic or cDNA cloning or by DNA synthesis.
• Suitable prokaryotic hosts include various bacteria (e.g., £. coli) : suitable eukaryotic hosts include yeast (e.g., 2.. cerevisiae) and mammalian cells (e.g., Chinese hamster ovary cells, monkey cells) .
• the G-CSF expression product may be glycosylated with mammalian or other eukaryotic carbohydrates, or it may be non-glycosylated.
• the G-CSF expression product may also include an initial methionine amino acid residue (at position -1) .
• the present invention contemplates the use of any and all such forms of G-CSF, although recombinant G-CSF, especially £. coli derived, is preferred, for, among other things, greatest commercial practicality.
• G-CSF analogs have been reported to be biologically functional, and these may also be chemically modified, by, for example, the addition of one or more polyethylene glycol molecules.
• Examples of G-CSF analogs which have been reported to have biological activity are those set forth in EP 0473 268 and EP 0272 423, although no representation is made with regard to the activity of each analog reportedly disclosed.
• the chemical modification contemplated is the attachment of at least one moiety to the G-CSF molecule itself, where said moiety permits (a) inhibition of proteolysis; and (b) uptake into the blood stream from the intestine. Also desired is the increase in overall stability of the protein and increase in circulation time in the body.
• moieties include: Polyethylene glycol, copolymers of ethylene glycol and propylene glycol, carboxymethyl cellulose, dextran, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone and polyproline. Abuchowski and Davis, Soluble Polymer- Enzyme Adducts.
• the preferred chemical moiety is polyethylene glycol.
• the preferred polyethylene glycol molecules are those which act to increase the half life of the protein in vivo, typically those PEG molecules with a molecular weight of between about 500 and about 50,000.
• the term "about” is used to reflect the approximate average molecular weight of a polyethylene glycol preparation, recognizing that some molecules in the preparation will weigh more, some less.
• the PEG used in the working examples described below had a molecular weight of about 6000.
• polyethylene glycol molecules should be attached to the protein with consideration of effects on functional or antigenic domains.
• the method for attachment of the polyethylene glycol molecules may vary, and there are a number of methods available to those skilled in the art. E.g.. EP 0 401 384 herein incorporated by reference (coupling PEG to G-CSF), see also Malik et al., Exp. Hematol. 20: 1028-1035 (1992) (reporting pegylation of GM-CSF using tresyl chloride) .
• polyethylene glycol may be covalently bound through amino acid residues via a reactive group, such as, a free amino or carboxyl group.
• Reactive groups are those to which an activated polyethylene glycol molecule may be bound.
• the amino acid residues having a free amino group may include lysine residues and the N-terminal amino acid residues; those having a free carboxyl group may include aspartic acid residues glutamic acid residues and the C-terminal amino acid residue.
• Sulfhydrl groups may also be used as a reactive group for attaching the polyethylene glycol molecule(s).
• Preferred for therapeutic purposes is attachment at an amino group, such as attachment at the N-terminus or lysine group. Attachment at residues important for G-CSF receptor binding should be avoided. Attachment at residues found in external loops connecting alpha helices or the N-terminus is preferred. See. Osslund et al., PNAS-USA 90: 5167-5171 (1993) ⁇ (describing the three dimensional conformation of recombinant human G-CSF) , herein incorporated by reference.
• the number of polyethylene glycol molecules so attached may vary, and one skilled in the art will be able to ascertain the effect on function.
• the pegylated G-CSF preferred herein is predominantly di-tri-tetra pegylated with PEG 6000 , i.e.. a population of G-CSF molecule having two, three or four PEG 6000 molecules attached, with a minority of molecules having more or fewer polyethylene glycol molecules attached.
• Contemplated for use herein are oral solid dosage forms, which are described generally in Remington's Pharmaceutical Sciences, 18th Ed.1990 (Mack Publishing Co. Easton PA 18042) at Chapter 89, which is herein incorporated by reference.
• Solid dosage forms include tablets, capsules, pills, troches or lozenges, cachets or pellets.
• liposomal or proteinoid encapsulation may be used to formulate the present compositions (as, for example, proteinoid microspheres reported in U.S. Patent No. 4,925,673).
• Liposomal encapsulation may be used and the liposomes may be derivatized with various polymers (E.g., U.S. Patent No. 5,013,556).
• a description of possible solid dosage forms for the therapeutic is given by Marshall, K. In: Modern Pharmaceutics Edited by G.S. Banker and CT. Rhodes Chapter 10, 1979, herein incorporated by reference.
• the formulation will include the chemically modified protein, and inert ingredients which allow for protection against the stomach environment, and release of the biologically active material in the intestine.
• PEG-G-CSF associated with an anionic lipid As described more fully in Example 6 below, PEG-G-CSF associated with an anionic lipid demonstrated enhanced biological effects when delivered to the gut.
• dioleoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) is used as an anionic lipid, but other anionic lipids may be used.
• DOPG dioleoyl phosphatidylglycerol
• the lipid vesicles useful in the compositions of the present invention are those negatively charged liposomes capable of interacting with PEG-C-CSF.
• Particular lipids contemplated for use include: dioleoylphosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) , dimyristoylphosphatidylglycerol (DMPG) , dipalmitoylphosphatidylglycerol (DPPG) , egg phosphatidylglycerol, dioleoylphosphatidylethanolamine (DOPE) , egg phosphatidylethanolamine, dioleoylphosphatidic acid (DOPA) , dimyristoylphosphatidic acid (DMPA) , dipalmitoylphosphatidic acid (DPPA) , dioleoylphosphatidylserine (DOPS) , dimyristoylphosphatidylserine (DMPS) , dipalmitoylphosphatidylserine (DPPS) , egg phosphatidylserine, lysophosphatidylglycerol, lysophosphatidyl
• lipid could vary, and may be used in different combinations.
• Other materials and methods relating to use of anionic lipids are described in co-pending, co-owned U.S.S.N. 08/132,413, entitled, Stable Proteins: Phospholipid Compositions and Methods, herein incorporated by reference, and Collins et al., entitled Enhanced stability of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF) after insertion into lipid membranes, J. Biochem. (under review) , also incorporated by reference.
• G-CSF granulocyte colony stimulating factor
• duodenum The preferred location of release is the duodenum, as will be demonstrated below. Although duodenal release is preferable for optimal biological effect for a given dose, release throughout the gut results in uptake of the PEG-G-CSF as demonstrated below.
• PEG-G-CSF the preferred location of release.
• One skilled in the art has available formulations which will not dissolve in the stomach, yet will release the material in the duodenum or elsewhere in the intestine.
• a coating impermeable to at least pH 5.0 is essential.
• examples of the more common inert ingredients that are used as enteric coatings are cellulose acetate trimellitate (CAT) , hydroxypropylmethylcellulose phthalate (HPMCP) , HPMCP 50, HPMCP 55, polyvinyl acetate phthalate (PVAP) , Eudragit L30D, Aquateric, cellulose acetate phthalate (CAP), Eudragit L, Eudragit S, and Shellac. These coatings may be used as mixed films.
• a coating or mixture of coatings can also be used on tablets, which are not intended for protection against the stomach. This can include sugar coatings, or coatings which make the tablet easier to swallow.
• Capsules may consist of a hard shell (such as gelatin) for delivery of dry therapeutic i.e. powder; for liquid forms, a soft gelatin shell may be used.
• the shell material of cachets could be thick starch or other edible paper.
• moist massing techniques can be used.
• the therapeutic can be included in the formulation as fine multiparticulates in the form of granules or pellets of particle size about 1mm.
• the formulation of the material for capsule administration could also be as a powder, lightly compressed plugs or even as tablets.
• the therapeutic could be prepared by compression.
• Colorants and flavoring agents may all be included.
• One may dilute or increase the volume of the therapeutic with an inert material.
• These diluents could include carbohydrates, especially mannitol, ' ⁇ -lactose, anhydrous lactose, cellulose, sucrose, modified dextrans and starch.
• Certain inorganic salts may be also be used as fillers including calcium triphosphate, magnesium carbonate and sodium chloride.
• Some commercially available diluents are Fast-Flo, Emdex, STA-Rx 1500, Emcompress and Avicell.
• Disintegrants may be included in the formulation of the therapeutic into a solid dosage form.
• Materials used as disintegrates include but are not limited to starch including the commercial disintegrant based on starch, Explotab. Sodium starch glycolate, Amberlite, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, ultramylopectin, sodium alginate, gelatin, orange peel, acid carboxymethyl cellulose, natural sponge and bentonite may all be used.
• Another form of the disintegrants are the insoluble cationic exchange resins.
• Powdered gums may be used as disintegrants and as binders and these can include powdered gums such as agar, Karaya or tragacanth. Alginic acid and its sodium salt are also useful as disintegrants.
• Binders may be used to hold the therapeutic agent together to form a hard tablet and include materials from natural products such as acacia, tragacanth, starch and gelatin. Others include methyl cellulose (MC) , ethyl cellulose (EC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) . Polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) and hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (HPMC) could both be used in alcoholic solutions to granulate the therapeutic.
• An antifrictional agent may be included in the formulation of the therapeutic to prevent sticking during the formulation process.
• Lubricants may be used as a layer between the therapeutic and the die wall, and these can include but are not limited to; stearic acid including its magnesium and calcium salts, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) , liquid paraffin, vegetable oils and waxes. Soluble lubricants may also be used such as sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, polyethylene glycol of various molecular weights, Carbowax 4000 and 6000.
• stearic acid including its magnesium and calcium salts
• PTFE polytetrafluoroethylene
• Soluble lubricants may also be used such as sodium lauryl sulfate, magnesium lauryl sulfate, polyethylene glycol of various molecular weights, Carbowax 4000 and 6000.
• the glidants may include starch, talc, pyrogenic silica and hydrated silicoaluminate.
• surfactant might be added as a wetting agent.
• Surfactants may include anionic detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate and dioctyl sodium sulfonate.
• anionic detergents such as sodium lauryl sulfate, dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate and dioctyl sodium sulfonate.
• Cationic detergents might be used and could include benzalkonium chloride or benzethomium chloride.
• nonionic detergents that could be included in the formulation as surfactants are lauromacrogol 400, polyoxyl 40 stearate, polyoxyethylene hydrogenated castor oil 10, 50 and 60, glycerol monostearate, polysorbate 40, 60, 65 and 80, sucrose fatty acid ester, methyl cellulose and carboxymethyl cellulose.
• These surfactants could be present in the formulation of the PEG-G-CSF either alone or as a mixture in different ratios.
• Additives which potentially enhance uptake of the cytokine are for instance the fatty acids oleic acid, linoleic acid and linolenic acid.
• Controlled release formulation may be desirable.
• the drug could be incorporated into an inert matrix which permits release by either diffusion or leaching mechanisms i.e. gums.
• Slowly degenerating matrices may also be incorporated into the formulation.
• Another form of a controlled release of this therapeutic is by a method based on the Oros therapeutic system (Alza Corp.), i.e. the drug is enclosed in a semipermeable membrane which allows water to enter and push drug out through a single small opening due to osmotic effects. Some entric coatings also have a delayed release effect.
• coatings may be used for the formulation. These include a variety of sugars which could be applied in a coating pan.
• the therapeutic agent could also be given in a film coated tablet and the materials used in this instance are divided into 2 groups.
• the first are the nonenteric materials and include methyl cellulose, ethyl cellulose, hydroxyethyl cellulose, methylhydroxy-ethyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl cellulose, hydroxypropyl-methyl cellulose, sodium carboxy-methyl cellulose, providone and the polyethylene glycols.
• the second group consists of the enteric materials already described that are commonly esters of phthalic acid.
• Film coating may be carried out in a pan coater or in a fluidized bed or by compression coating.
• the preferred formulation for oral delivery of G-CSF is recombinant human G-CSF (produced in a bacterial host for commercial practicability) , such as Neupogen®, available from Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, California 91320-1789, di-tri-tetra pegylated as described in more detail below, and formulated so as to deliver the pegylated G-CSF to the small intestine.
• the small intestine more particularly, the duodenum is the preferred location for release of the pegylated G-CSF from inert materials.
• Another aspect of the present invention includes methods of treating a mammal for a condition characterized by a decrease in hematopoietic function comprised of the oral administration of chemically modified G-CSF, which may include a pharmaceutically acceptable oral formulation.
• Formulations specific for certain indications may include other agents which are not inert, such as antibiotics, such as ceftriaxone, for the concomitant treatment of infection.
• Other non-inert agents include chemotherapy agents.
• Conditions alleviated or modulated by the oral administration of chemically modified G-CSF are typically those characterized by a reduced hematopoietic or immune function, and, more specifically, a reduced neutrophil count.
• Such conditions may be induced as a course of therapy for other purposes, such as chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
• infectious disease such as bacterial, viral, fungal or other infectious disease.
• sepsis results from bacterial infection.
• condition may be hereditary or environmentally caused, such as severe chronic neutropenia or leukaemias.
• Age may also play a factor, as in the geriatric setting, patients may have a reduced neutrophil count or reduced neutrophil mobilization.
• Administration may be in combination with other agents such as antibiotics, other hematopoietic factors, such as the interleukins (IL-1, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-9, IL-10, IL-11 and
• IL-12 IL-12
• early acting factors such as Stem Cell Factor or FLT3-L, erythropoietin, GM-CSF, IGF's (such as I and II) , M-CSF, interferons (such as, but not limited to alpha, beta, gamma, and consensus), LIF, and CSF-1.
• GM-CSF erythropoietin
• IGF's such as I and II
• M-CSF interferons (such as, but not limited to alpha, beta, gamma, and consensus), LIF, and CSF-1.
• dosage levels for treatment of various conditions in various patients will be between 0.01 ⁇ g/kg body weight, (calculating the mass of the G-CSF alone, without chemical modification) , and 100 ⁇ g/kg (based on the same) .
• Consensus interferon is another protein used in the present working examples. Demonstrated below is the intraduodenal administration of chemically modified consensus interferon. This too was taken up into the blood stream from the intestine. Thus, other aspects of the present invention relate to preparations and methods for oral administration of chemically modified consensus interferon.
• consensus human leukocyte interferon referred to here as “consensus interferon, " or "IFN-con” means a nonnaturally-occurring polypeptide, which predominantly includes those amino acid residues that are common to all naturally-occurring human leukocyte interferon subtype sequences and which include, at one or more of those positions where there is no amino acid common to all subtypes, an amino acid which predominantly occurs at that position and in no event includes any amino acid residue which is not extant in that position in at least one naturally- occurring subtype.
• IFN-con encompasses the amino acid sequences designated IFN-coni, IFN-con2 and IFN-con3 which are disclosed in commonly owned U.S.
• IFN-con DNA sequences encoding IFN-con may be synthesized as described in the above-mentioned patents or other standard methods.
• IFN- con polypeptides are preferably the products of expression of manufactured DNA sequences, transformed or transfected into bacterial hosts, especially £. coli. That is, IFN-con is recombinant IFN-con.
• IFN-con is preferably produced in £_,. coli and may be purified by procedures known to those skilled in the art and generally described in Klein et al.,J. Chromatog. 454: 205-215 (1988) for IFN-coni.
• Purified IFN-con may comprise a mixture of isoforms, e.g., purified IFN-coni comprises a mixture of methionyl IFN-coni, des-methionyl IFN-coni and des-methionyl IFN-coni with a blocked N-terminus (Klein et al., Arc. Biochem. Biophys. 276: 531-537 (1990) ) .
• IFN-con may comprise a specific, isolated isoform. Isoforms of IFN-con are separated from each other by techniques such as isoelectric focusing which are known to those skilled in the art.
• the consensus interferon moiety may be selected from the group consisting of IFN-coni, IFN- con2, and IFN-con3.
• the chemical modification is using a polymer as described herein, which (i) provides resistance against proteolysis of the consensus interferon moiety; and (ii) allows uptake of consensus interferon into the bloodstream from the intestine, such as PEG (or other polymers as described above with regard to chemically modified G-CSF) .
• Example 7 herein illustrates a chemically modified IFN-coni comprised of an IFN coni moiety connected to one or more polyethylene glycol moieties (PEG 6000 was used) .
• one preferred form of the present invention is a pegylated consensus interferon in a pharmaceutically acceptable oral dosage formulation.
• Preferred are those oral dosage formulations containing as an active ingredient a population of chemically modified consensus interferon molecules, wherein a majority of chemically modified consensus interferon molecules are those to which one or more pharmaceutically acceptable polymer molecules which allow for protease resistance and uptake into the blood stream from the intestine, such as those identified above, including polyethylene glycol molecules, are attached.
• compositions containing as an active ingredient a population of chemically modified consensus interferon molecules (preferably IFN- Coni molecules) wherein a majority of chemicaly modified consensus interferon molecules (such as IFN-Coni molecules) are those to which one or more polyethylene glycol molecules are attached.
• chemically modified consensus interferon molecules preferably IFN- Coni molecules
• a majority of chemicaly modified consensus interferon molecules such as IFN-Coni molecules
• the oral dosage formulation is preferably one which allows delivery of the intact active ingredient to the small intestine, such as those formulations described above for PEG-G-CSF.
• the above discussion regarding generally formulations, dosages, and potential co-administration with other compositions also applies to the preparation and use of the present oral dosage forms of chemically modified consensus interferon.
• conditions which may be alleviated or modulated by administration of the present polymer/consensus interferon are those to which consensus interferon is applicable and include cell proliferation disorders, viral infections, and autoimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis.
• Cf.. McManus Balmer, DICP, The Annals of Pharmacotherapy 24: 761-767 (1990) (Clinical use of biologic response modifiers in cancer treatment: an overview. Part I. The Interferons) .
• Methods and compositions for the treatment of cell proliferation disorders using consensus interferon are described in PCT WO 92/06707, published April 30, 1992, which is herein incorporated by reference.
• hepatitis such as A, B, C, D, E
• hepatitis may be treatable using the present pegylated consensus interferon molecules.
• the working example below demonstrates that, in vivo, chemically modified consensus interferon enters the blood stream through the intestine.
• the Examples below illustrate the working of the present invention.
• Example 1 details the methods of preparing recombinant human G-CSF and pegylation thereof.
• Example 2 describes an in vitro demonstration that a chemically modified protein (pegylated G-CSF) resists proteolysis by trypsin, which is found in the intestine.
• pegylated G-CSF chemically modified protein
• Example 3 describes the in vivo model used to demonstrate the oral administration of a chemically modified protein.
• pegylated G-CSF was administered directly to the duodenum, either via an infusion pump or by bolus administration. The animals were allowed to recover, and blood was withdrawn at varying intervals to ascertain two parameters, total white blood cell count, and serum levels of G-CSF (via antibody detection) . Intraduodenal bioequivalence as compared to intravenous injection was determined.
• Example 4 presents additional data for serum levels of G-CSF using iodinated PEG-G-CSF, which provides for more sensitivity than antibody detection. Using the more sensitive assay, steady state serum levels of the protein are demonstrated over the period of intraduodenal infusion.
• Example 5 describes an in vivo protocol for ascertaining the optimum location in the gut for release of the biologically active pegylated G-CSF. This information is instructive for determining the precise oral dosage formulation, which an ordinary skilled artisan may prepare for release in this target location.
• portions of the gut were physically isolated by surgically tying off and cutting the sections (at the duodenum, jejunum, ileum or colon) .
• Pegylated G-CSF was administered into the isolated intestinal section, and blood samples were monitored for serum levels of rhG-CSF by ELISA.
• Example 6 demonstrates that PEG-G-CSF associated with a lipid carrier enhances the therapeutic response elicited by PEG-G-CSF delivered to the duodenum.
• PEG-C-CSF was formulated using an anionic lipid, and delivered intraduodenally. The results show a higher white blood cell count as compared to PEG-G-CSF alone.
• Example 7 demonstrates the preparation and characterization of pegylated consensus interferon.
• Example 8 demonstrates proteolysis of unmodified consensus interferon using enzymes found in the small intestine, illustrating that unmodified protein readily proteolyzes upon reaching the stomach.
• Example 9 demonstrates the enteral delivery of consensus interferon. As with pegylated G-CSF, pegylated consensus interferon passes through the lining of the intestine and is found in the serum.
• FIGURE 1 illustrates the rodent gastro ⁇ intestinal tract, and diagrams the in vivo model of intraduodenal delivery used herein.
• FIGURE 2 illustrates the resistance of pegylated G-CSF to trypsin proteolysis in an in vitro assay.
• FIGURE 3 illustrates the total white blood cell response to PEG-G-CSF given by intraduodenal infusion, as compared to PEG-G-CSF administered by i.v., and non-pegylated rhG-CSF and vehicle administered by intraduodenal infusion.
• FIGURE 4 illustrates the serum levels of rhG-CSF following administration of PEG-G-CSF intravenously and intraduodenally by infusion.
• FIGURE 5 illustrates the total white blood cell response to PEG-G-CSF administered by intraduodenal and intravenous bolus and non-pegylated G-CSF given by intraduodenal bolus alone.
• FIGURE 6 illustrates the serum rhG-CSF levels in response to intraduodenal and intravenous bolus administration of PEG-G-CSF. Also shown is the serum rhG-CSF level in response to intraduodenal bolus administration of non-pegylated rhG-CSF.
• FIGURE 7 (a) illustrates a comparison of intravenous and intraduodenal pump infusion of 125 I-labelled PEG-G-CSF serum levels.
• FIGURE 7 (b) illustrates a comparison of AUC for each rat following intravenous and intraduodenal administration of 125 I-PEG-G-CSF.
• Figures 8 (a) and (b) illustrate serum levels of rhG-CSF after PEG-G-CSF administration to different sections of the rat gut.
• FIGURE 9 is a bar graph illustrating the net average AUC of serum levels of rhG-CSF after administration of PEG-G-CSF to different sections of the rat gut.
• FIGURE 10 (a) is a graph illustrating the effect of DOPG on total WBC response to intraduodenal infusion of rhG-CSF.
• FIGURE 10 (b) is a graph illustrating this response using PEG-G-CSF.
• FIGURE 11 is a graph illustrating the effect of DOPG on serum levels of PEG-G-CSF after intraduodenal pump infusion.
• FIGURE 12 is a graph illustrating the proteolysis of unmodified consensus interferon by trypsin and chymotrypsin.
• FIGURE 13 is a graph illustrating the plasma levels of unmodified consensus interferon, as determined by antibody detection, after intravenous administration or intraduodenal administration.
• FIGURE 14 is a graph illustrating the plasma levels of chemically modified consensus interferon wherein greater than 50% of the consensus interferon is modified at a 1:1 ratio of PEG: protein moieties, as determined by antibody detection, after intravenous or intraduodenal administration.
• FIGURE 15 is a graph illustrating the plasma levels of chemically modified consensus interferon wherein all molecules contain three or more polyethylene glycol moities, as determined by antibody detection, after intravenous or intraduodenal administration.
• Recombinant human met-G-CSF was prepared as described above according to methods in the Souza patent, U.S. Pat. No., 4,810,643.
• the rhG-CSF employed was an EJ. coli derived recombinant expression product having the amino acid sequence (encoded by the DNA sequence) shown below (Seq.ID NOs.l and 2):
• polyethylene glycol molecule employed may be of various sizes, however, previous studies (data not shown) indicated that using G-CSF pegylated with predominantly two to three molecules of PEG-2000 resulted in rapid clearance, and therefore, no sustained circulation (which may be undesirable for oral delivery) .
• the level of polyethylene glycol derivatization was determined to be: monopegylated, 3.4%; dipegylated, 31.9%; tripegylated,
• the i vitro biological activity (as determined by H ⁇ thymidine uptake assays) was determine to be 9% as compared to non-pegylated recombinant met G-CSF.
• the in vivo biological activity was determined to be 268% of non-pegylated recombinant met G-CSF.
• MPEG monomethoxypolyethylene glycol
• CM-MPEG ⁇ -carboxymethyl ⁇ -methoxypolyethylene glycol
• the combined organic phase was dried over anhydrous magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to a final volume of 100 ml.
• the CM-MPEG was precipitated by addition to 500 ml of diethyl ether at 4°C, collected, and 50 g was redissolved in 150 ml of 0.1 M NaOH, the CM-MPEG was again precipitated by addition to 500 ml of diethyl ether at 4°C, collected and dried.
• the precipitated SCM-MPEG was collected by filtration on a sintered glass funnel and redissolved in anhydrous methylene chloride. After a second precipitation in diethyl ether, the SCM-MPEG was collected and dried.
• the SCM-MPEG was characterized by ' spectroscopic analysis and HPLC prior to conjugation to rhG-CSF. To a 100 ml solution of rhG-CSF 10 mg/ml, in
• the PEG-G-CSF was purified by FPLC using a Toyopearl SP 550C column (5 x 17 cm) (Pharmacia) , prewashed with 700 ml of 0.2N NaOH, and pre-equilibrated with 1.3 L of column buffer, 20mM sodium acetate buffer pH4.0. The reaction mixture was loaded onto the column at a flow rate of 8 ml/minute, and the column was then washed with 1 L of the column buffer. 1.3 L of eluting buffer, column buffer containing 1 M NaCl, was pumped onto the column in a step gradient, and the PEG-G-CSF was.eluted at 350 mM NaCl.
• the fractions containing the PEG-G-CSF were pooled, concentrated to approximately 100 ml in an Amicon stirred cell using a YM10, 76 mm diameter Diaflo ultrafiltration membrane (Amicon) .
• the PEG-G-CSF was then buffer exchanged using 600 ml of formulation buffer, 10 mM sodium acetate pH 4.0 and 5% mannitol and 0.004% Tween 80.
• the A 28O was determined and the protein diluted to lmg/ml with formulation buffer, filter sterilized, and vialed.
• the in vitro biological activity of the pegylated G-CSF was determined by measuring the stimulated uptake of 3 H thymidine into mouse bone marrow cells prior to use in the studies below.
• the in vivo biological activity was also determined prior to use, by subcutaneous injection of hamsters (with 20 or 100 ⁇ g/kg PEG-G-CSF) and measuring total white blood cell count.
• Bioactivity as compared to non-pegylated G-CSF was calculated as the area under the WBC/time curve after subtracting the vehicle control curve.
• Relative bioactivity of the PEG-G-CSF was expressed as the percentage bioactivity compared to unmodified G-CSF (AUCtest/AUCc-CSF x 100) .
• Example 2 In Vitro Protection From Proteases Found In The Intestine This study demonstrates that in vitro r pegylated G-CSF is extremely resistant (without other protective formulation) to proteolysis by the enzyme trypsin which is found in the intestine. While not conclusive, this model is indicative of in vivo conditions in the intestine because roughly the same proportions of enzymes, and physiological conditions (pH, temperature, salinity) were used.
• pegylated G-CSF prepared as above was incubated with trypsin, and the reaction was stopped at various time intervals over a 4 hour incubation. Samples taken at these times were tested for the amount of degradation by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting using antibodies against G-CSF, detected using iodinated protein A.
• the results, as presented in the graph at FIGURE 2 demonstrate the protective effects of pegylation: after 30 minutes, greater than 90% of the pegylated material was intact, whereas approximately 55% of the non-pegylated material was intact; after 240 minutes, at least 90% of the pegylated material remained while the non-pegylated material dropped to less than 30%. in vivo, there would be other enzymes, and additional factors affecting the rate of degradation.
• the methods were as follows: rhG-CSF or
• PEG-GCSF as prepared above, at 100 ⁇ g/ml, in a total volume of 5 ml of phosphate buffered saline, (PBS) was incubated at 37°C with trypsin (1 ⁇ g/ml, Sigma St. Louis, MO) . For the times indicated at 37°C.
• a protease inhibitor cocktail consisting of N-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone (TLCK) , 20 ⁇ g; (4-amidinophenyl) methanesulfonyl fluoride (APMSF) , 16 ⁇ g; and alpha 2-macroglobulin, IIU, (all from Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, IN) .
• TLCK N-tosyl-L-lysine chloromethyl ketone
• APIMSF (4-amidinophenyl) methanesulfonyl fluoride
• IIU alpha 2-macroglobulin
• the protein was then run under reducing conditions as described by Laemmli (Nature 227: 680-685 (1970)) on SDS-PAGE (Integrated Separations Systems or ISS, Natich, MA) . After transfer, the protein was detected by incubation with a polyclonal antibody to rhG-CSF. The bound anti-G-CSF antibody was then detected by incubation of the blot with 125 I-protein A (Amersham, Arlington Heights, IL) and autoradiography. Quantitation of the remaining intact protein and of the degradation products was by cutting and counting of the Immobilon using the autoradiograph as the template.
• intraduodenal administration compared the effects of intraduodenal administration to intravenous administration.
• This bioequivalence analysis demonstrated that as compared to intravenous administration, intraduodenally administered PEG-G-CSF (1) had 4-5% of the biological effectiveness (as ascertained by total white blood cell count after 90 hours) , and (2) had approximately 2% of the serum level (as determined by ELISA after 90 hours) .
• the mode of dosing was also compared i.e. chronic administration vs. acute, by a comparison of responses to infused and bolus administered PEG-GCSF.
• release of the drug at the distal end of the duodenum provides some indication of the effect of a formulation designed to release active compound into the duodenum (i.e., the typical release might be just above the duodenum/jejunum border) .
• Release at the distal end avoids bile influx which contains proteases.
• the incision was closed with a purse string suture, and the animals were maintained as usual.
• C. Administration Administration of the pegylated G-CSF was accomplished in two ways, (1) via direct bolus administration through the catheter, and (2) via implanted pump infusion (for continuous administration over a 24 hour period) . For each type of administration, a non-pegylated G-CSF control group was used, as were vehicle controls.
• PEG-G-CSF (as prepared above) was placed in a 1 cc syringe with a tubing adaptor, and then injected directly into the duodenum through the catheter.
• the proteins at the indicated doses were injected into the duodenum in 200 ⁇ l of formulation buffer, 10 mM sodium acetate pH 4.0 and .004% Tween 80.
• the catheter was withdrawn, and the suture closed tightly. The animal was allowed to recover.
• osmotic pump For intravenous bolus administration (used as controls) 200 ⁇ l of formulation buffer containing the required dose of protein was administered through the penile vein.
• an osmotic pump [Alzet, mini-osmotic pump, model 2001D (Alza) Palo Alto, CA] was placed on the tip of the catheter located in the peritoneal cavity (See FIGURE 1) .
• the pump Prior to such placement, the pump was prefilled with pegylated G-CSF (as prepared above) or controls, at indicated dose, in 221 ⁇ l of formulation buffer, and the pump was activated via osmotic means (absorbing water from the animal to push the drug out) to deliver 8-9 ⁇ l/hr for 24 hours. In all cases, the value given for the dose refers to total dose over 24 hours. The incision was closed, and the animal was allowed to recover.
• an incision (approx. 3-4 cm ) was made under the neck of the rat.
• the left jugular vein was exposed, and the 10 cm silastic catheter was introduced 2 cm into the vein.
• the Alzet pump containing the proteins was attached to the catheter, and implanted into the nape of the neck between the shoulder blades.
• intraduodenal infusion studies blood samples (500 ⁇ l) were drawn from the tail vein of each of the test and control groups at twelve-hour intervals for 96 hours.
• intraduodenal or intravenous blood samples 500 ⁇ l were drawn through an indwelling cannula in the right Jugular vein. The cannulas were implanted 2 days prior to drug administration to allow the animals to recover, and were kept patent by flushing twice daily with 100 ⁇ l of saline containing 20 U/ml of heparin.
• Serum levels were determined using a Sysmex (Baxter, Irvine, CA) F-800 microcell counter. Serum was prepared by centrifuging the blood samples in an Eppendorf centrifuge at 12000 rpm, 11750 x g, for 15 minutes. The serum was removed and stored at -80°C until an ELISA for rhG-CSF could be performed. Serum levels of PEG-G-CSF and non-pegylated
• G-CSF were determined by ELISA, containing a monoclonal antibody specific for G-CSF, (Quantikine, available from R&D Systems, Indianapolis, Indiana, US) , according to the instructions, which are herein incorporated by reference.
• the standard curves were set up from 5000 pg/ml to 78 pg/ml of the exact same protein that had been administered to the animals. The serum levels of the proteins were then determined from the relevant curve. Results
• Intraduodenal infusion (FIGURES 3 and 4) .
• the cohort receiving PEG-GCSF intraduodenally had much higher total white blood cell counts at 12 hours ( ⁇ 36,000/ ⁇ l) than did the intraduodenal non-pegylated controls ( ⁇ 16,000/ ⁇ l) .
• T 0
• WBC count the average WBC count
• FIGURE 3 An interesting point to note is that PEG-G-CSF given intraduodenally stimulates an earlier increase in white blood cells than intravenous administration.
• the serum levels for the same experiment are shown in Figure 4. No values are shown for the non-pegylated G-CSF control group, since the ELISA assay showed no detectable serum levels of rhG-CSF (i.e. less than 50 pg/ml) .
• the serum levels achieved by intraduodenal and intravenous infusion of PEG-G-CSF are not directly comparable due to the difference in dose. Instead these data were used for the determination of bioavailability and are shown in Table 2.
• serum levels of PEG-G-CSF are highly elevated for the protein after intraduodenal infusion as compared to the undetectable levels after non-pegylated GCSF administration via the same route.
• FIGURE 6 illustrates the serum levels as determined by ELISA, of PEG-G-CSF administered by both the i.d. and i.v. routes, and non-pegylated material administered by the i.d. route.
• the serum levels remained relatively constant for the first six hours, and gradually decreased thereafter, the decrease parallelling that of the i.v. administered material.
• the serum levels for the non-pegylated G-CSF were half the values of the PEG-G-CSF group and were extremely variable (some animals had undetectable amounts) and below the level of detection in the entire group after 6 hours. 3.
• Bioe ⁇ uivalence analysis An analysis was performed to compare intraduodenal administration of the proteins to intravenous administration. The results show that intraduodenal administration by the infusion method has between 4% and 5% of the biological effectiveness ("bioequivalence") of intravenously administered pegylated G-CSF, as determined by white blood cell count. These WBC count data are presented in Table 1, below. Bioavailability as determined by serum levels (1.8%) is somewhat lower than that determined from WBC (4.6%). The serum level data are presented in Table 2 below.
• % bioequivalence is determined by measuring the area under the white blood cell count curve ("AUC") for intraduodenally administered (“id") material (corrected for the vehicle) , and dividing that number by the AUC for intravenously (“iv”) administered material (again corrected for the vehicle) . This number is multiplied by the reciprocal dosage. The product is multiplied by 100 for the percentage. For bioavailability in terms of serum, the calculation is the same.
• AUC white blood cell count curve
• Table 1 shows that after a 24 hour id infusion of PEG-G-CSF, material has entered the bloodstream and has a measurable biological response, which is much greater (4.6%) than that for native rhG-CSF (0%) .
• non-pegylated rhG-CSF does not stimulate any white blood cell response when administered by infusion i . d. , nor are there detectable levels of the protein in the serum.
• FIGURE 4 further illustrates intravenous and intraduodenal administration of PEG-G-CSF.
• FIGURE 4 shows that the clearance rate of the id administered PEG-GCSF is similar to that for intravenously administered material.
• non- pegylated G-CSF serum levels were not measurable.
• the in vivo studies here demonstrate the availability of a chemically modified protein for uptake by the intestine, and, importantly, the therapeutic activity of such protein. More particularly, the studies demonstrate that pegylated G-CSF delivered to the intestine is present in the blood stream and causes an increase in white blood cells, and that the oral formulation of such composition will be a useful therapeutic.
• Eaa ple 4 Confirmation of Serum Levels
• 125 I-labelled PEG-G-CSF was used, as were iv and id methods as described above. The difference is the dosage, as here, 1/1000 of the dose was used as compared to the previous studies: 661 nanograms/kg for intravenous administration, and 728 nanograms/kg for intraduodenal administration (whereas microgram quantities were used previously) .
• Total blood levels of TCA-precipitable 125 I label were determined in a Cobra 5000 gamma counter (Packard, Downers Grove IL) , and the data converted to picograms per ml.
• PEG-G-CSF are shown in FIGURE 7a.
• steady state levels of the PEG-G-CSF have been achieved by both routes.
• the pumps have finished at 24 hours, levels of the protein drop in the blood in parallel as one would expect.
• blood levels are not detectable below 20 pg/ml (see id administration) .
• oral dosage formulations are available in the art, and one aspect is formulation so that the tablet (or capsule, etc.) will dissolve in a desired location in the gut.
• This in situ study was designed to find the small intestine location yielding optimal (in this case, maximal) bioavailability as determined from serum levels of the protein. The results show that delivery to the duodenum and ileum produces the highest serum levels of the protein.
• mice Male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200-250 g were fasted 16-20 hr prior to the experiment. Water was allowed ad libitum. The animals were anesthetized by an intraperitoneal injection of a mixture of 90 mg/kg ketamine and 10 mg/kg xylazine. One- third to one-half of the original dose was administered every 45-60 min thereafter to maintain anesthesia/analgesia. The core body temperature was maintained at 37°C by placing the animal on a heating pad.
• Cannulation of the right external jugular vein was performed by inserting a 10 cm piece of Silastic tubing, (Baxter, Irvine, CA) . A collar made from a 1 cm piece of PE 200 polyethylene tubing was attached to the outer end of the Silastic tubing. Before insertion, the cannula was filled with saline containing 10 U/ml heparin. A 23-gauge needle was inserted into the cannula and was used with a heparinized 1 ml syringe for the removal of blood samples. Bile Duct Catheterization. Cannulation of the bile duct was necessary to prevent excess accumulation of bile in the non-ligated gut over the 4 hours of the experiment.
• a midline abdominal incision was made, and the duodenum and a small part of the intestine was pulled out and placed on a gauze pad moistened with physiological saline to expose the bile duct.
• Two ligatures were made, one ligature was tied tightly immediately in front of the pancreatic tissue to prevent the flow of bile, the second ligature was partly tied 5 mm from the first ligature and near to the liver.
• intestinal segments were measured with a string.
• Experiments were carried out in individual animals to test for PEG-G-CSF absorption from the duodenum (11 cm from the pylorus), the proximal jejunum (20 cm from the pylorus) , the distal ileum (6 cm above the cecum) , and the colon (10 cm from the cecum) .
• the desired segment was opened at each end and a piece of Tygon tubing (4-mm o.d. from VWR Scientific, Cerritos, CA) was inserted into the proximal opening.
• a peristalic pump was employed to perfuse 30 ml of physiological saline (Abbott Laboratories, Chicago IL) at 37°C and 2 ml/min into the intestine to remove any residual gut contents.
• physiological saline Abbott Laboratories, Chicago IL
• Each segment (10 cm) was ligated both above and below the incisions to prevent any fluid loss, and air was pumped through the segment to remove any residual saline.
• PEG-G-CSF solution in 500 ⁇ L of formulation buffer, 10 mM sodium acetate, pH 4.0, 5% mannitol and 0.004% Tween 80, at a dose of 750 ⁇ g/kg, was injected into the mid-portion of the segment using a 27 gauge half inch needle.
• Results are presented in FIGURE 8.
• the data are the mean values from 3 separate experiments.
• the degree of error, as shown by error bars, may be due in part to the fact that the 3 animals for the group were studied on separate days. This would increase differences in each study, although corrections were made for certain changes, i.e. weight of the rats, etc.
• FIGURE 8 illustrates, however, that the higher regions of the gut i.e. duodenum and ileum, are preferable in terms of PEG-G-CSF absorption than the lower regions, such as the colon.
• Recombinant human G-CSF is able to closely interact with a negatively charged lipid, which enhances stability of the G-CSF protein.
• PEG-G-CSF also forms this close interaction, with protective effects.
• This Example demonstrates that the protective effects have a positive impact on the intraduodenal bioavailability of PEG-GCSF after formulation of the protein with a negatively charged lipid.
• the present example relates to the negatively charged lipid dioleoyl phosphatidylglycerol (DOPG) .
• DOPG negatively charged lipid dioleoyl phosphatidylglycerol
• Other formulations using negatively charged lipids in association with proteins capable of forming the molten globular state are described in commonly owned, co- pending U.S.S.N. 08/132,413, "Stable Proteins:
• Phospholipid Composition and Methods which is herein incorporated by reference.
• the use of such negatively charged lipids as binders in oral dosage formulations has been previously demonstrated, and may be useful for the oral dosages forms here described.
• DOPG from Avanti Polar Lipids Inc., Alabaster Alabama was dissolved in anhydrous chloroform to a final concentration of 100 mg/ml.
• 100 ⁇ ol of the lipid (797 ⁇ l) were dried under vacuum and then 1 ml of milli Q water was added to make a 100 mM solution of the lipid.
• This solution was sonicated for 5 minutes in a sonicating water bath (Model G 112SP1T from Laboratories Supply Inc., Hicksville, NY) or until the lipid solution was clear.
• 9 ⁇ mol of the DOPG solution (90 ⁇ l) were added to 90 nmol of rhG-CSF or PEG-G-CSF, prepared as described above, in 1 mM HC1.
• FIGURES 10 showing white blood cell count effect, and 11, showing serum levels.
• the use of PEG-G-CSF elicited a higher response even as compared to non-pegylated G-CSF + DOPG (comparing FIGURE 10(a) and FIGURE 10(b)).
• FIGURE 10(b) illustrates that DOPG enhances the biological effect, in terms of increased total white blood cell count, of PEG-G-CSF delivered to the gut.
• the PEG-G-CSF + DOPG increase was nearly two fold greater than for PEG-G-CSF alone.
• PEG-G-CSF increases the therapeutic response elicited by the derivatized protein.
• the increased response appears to be a result of greater bioavailability of the PEG-G ⁇ CSF.
• pegylated IFN-Coni as described in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,695,623 and 4,897,471, was used.
• the pegylated material was prepared, and fractionated according to the degree of derivitization.
• the PEG- IFN-Coni was eluted with 20 column volumes (or 400 ml) of eluting buffer, 20 mM sodium citrate pH 3.5 containing 1 M NaCl (buffer B) , applied as a linear gradient from 0-45% and then one column volume (or 20 ml) of a linear gradient from 45%-70%. Buffer B was held at 70% for three column volumes (or 60 ml) . The PEG-IFN-Coni was eluted from the column between 30-70% of buffer B. Results. For the present studies, IFN-Con ⁇ derivatized to different degrees with SCM-MPEG was used. Groups of five fractions were collected and pooled from the FPLC and these fractions were then concentrated and characterized.
• fractions Fl with virtually all protein containing at least three polyethylene glycol molecules
• F5 having a majority of the molecules with fewer than three polyethylene glycol moieties attached
• the F5 derivatized material demonstrated activity in vitro as determined by measurement of the inhibition of viral replication in a cultured cell line, but the Fl material did not.
• HeLa cells were plated into 96-well plates at 15,000 cells/well and incubated for twenty four hours at 37°C under 5% carbon dioxide in base medium (Dulbecco's modified Eagles medium (DMEM) , containing 100 units/ml of penicillin, 100 mg/ml of streptomycin, 2 mM L-glutamine, 1% by weight of non- essential amino acids, 0.1% by weight of gentamicin sulfate and 1% HEPES buffer), with 10% FBS.
• IFN-Coni was prepared at multiple dilutions ranging from 40 to 0.02 ng/ml (40,000 to 19.53 Units) in base medium and 0.2% FBS.
• Encephalomyocarditis Virus (EMCV) , at a dilution equal to 100-1000 tissue culture infected dose (TCID) units in DMEM with 1% FBS.
• TCID tissue culture infected dose
• the plates were further incubated for about twenty-two hours, the medium was removed, and the cells were fixed with 200 ⁇ l of anhydrous methyl alcohol for five minutes.
• the fixative was removed and the cells were stained for thirty minutes in 0.5% Gentian dye, then rinsed free of dye and air-dried for one half to two hours.
• the dye was eluted with 200 ⁇ l of ethylene glycol onomethyl ether and shaken for thirty minutes.
• the Fl did not demonstrate measurable in vitro bioactivity.
• the F5 had at least 24.5% retention of the original in vitro bioactivity as compared to the unmodified IFN-Coni, see Table 5. It is of note that although the Fraction 1 (higher pegylation) material demonstrated no detectable activity in this in vitro assay, this may not correlate to in vivo activity.
• Example 8 Proteolysis of IFN-Con ⁇ This example demonstrates that in the absence of chemical modification, consensus interferon is proteolyzed by proteases found in the intestine. Methods. The proteolysis protocol for IFN-Coni was much as described for PEG-G-CSF and G-CSF. Trypsin was present at 0.5 ⁇ g/ml, chymotrysin at 0.5 ⁇ g/ml and -"-- ⁇ S-labelled IFN-Coni was present at 50 ⁇ g/ml, all in a total volume of 525 ul of PBS. Incubation was at 37°C.
• a protease inhibitor cocktail consisting of N-tosyl-L-lysine chlorolethyl ketone (TLCK) 2.5 ⁇ g; (4-amidinophenyl) methanesulfonyl fluoride (.APMSF) 1.6 ⁇ g; and ⁇ 2-macroglobulin 0.25 IU, all from Boehringer Mannheim, (Indianapolis, IN) .
• the sample was then diluted with 14 ul of 4X reducing buffer (0.5M Tris, 75% glycerol, 1% bromophenol blue, 20% SDS,
• the resulting immunoblots were analyzed on a Molecular Dynamics Phosphorimager (Sunnyvale, CA) .
• IFN-Coni is most susceptible to trypsin and more resistant to chymotrypsin.
• the protease trypsin is able to digest >80% of the cytokine within 30 minutes, which is similar to that seen for the digestion of G-CSF ( Figure 2) . Similar levels of digestion with chymotrypsin are only seen after 2 hours of incubation.
• a regression analysis of the data shows that under the conditions used in this in vitro proteolysis assay, IFN-Coni has a T ⁇ 2 for its digestion of 5.9 hours in the presence of trypsin, 7.25 hours with chymotrypsin and 5.1 hours with both trypsin and chymotrypsin present together.
• This example demonstrates the intraduodenal administration of both the pegylated IFN-Coni and the unmodified material. Both intravenous and intraduodenal administration were performed, and serum samples were analyzed for the presence of IFN-Coni using an antibody assay. As can be seen in the results, consensus interferon was present in the bloodstream after intraduodenal administration. Unexpectedly, the more highly pegylated the protein, the higher the serum level of the IFN-Coni.
• BSA bovine serum albumin
• the plates were washed twice with a standard washing solution (Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories, Gaithersburg, MD, Cat. No. 50-63-00) .
• a mouse monoclonal antibody to IFN-Con- (Amgen Inc., Thousand Oaks, CA) , diluted 1:4000 in TNE buffer with 10% FBS, was added and the sample was incubated overnight at room temperature.
• the EIA plate was washed twice and a goat-derived anti-mouse IgG antibody, conjugated with horse radish peroxidase (HRPO) , (Boehringer Mannheim, Indianapolis, IN) , was added at a dilution of 1:2000.
• HRPO horse radish peroxidase
• TMB peroxidase substrate solution (Kirkegaard & Perry Laboratories, Cat. No. 50-76-00) were then added and the sample was incubated for five minutes at room temperature. The reaction was terminated by the addition of 50 ⁇ l of 1 M
• the difference in clearance of the PEG-IFN- Coni as compared to the unmodified IFN-Con ⁇ is extremely great, especially when compared to G-CSF and PEG-G-CSF. Even with highly pegylated G-CSF at high doses, the T ⁇ /2 for unmodified protein is 0.95 hours compared to 2.3 hours for the PEG-G-CSF.
• Intraduodenal administration Serum levels of the cytokine after intraduodenal administration are also presented in Figures 13-15. Unexpectedly, the more highly pegylated the protein, the higher the serum level of the IFN-Coni. The more highly pegylated cytokine (Fl) ( Figure 15) had a higher serum level after intraduodenal administration than the material with fewer PEG moieties, as well as the unmodified material. This correlation is surprising given the large molecular weight of the highly derivatized IFN-Con ⁇ (tri-, tetra-, pentapegylated) , as compared to the form with fewer PEG moieties (F5, mono-, dipegylated) .
• pegylation may affect the protein's ability to cross the enteral barrier.
• the material with the lower pegylation was 2. -fold more concentrated in serum than unmodified protein, but the more highly pegylated material was 13-fold more concentrated (than unmodified protein) .
• IFN-Coni elevated and measurable serum levels of the protein were detectable out to 72 hours.
• Rats receiving the unmodified IFN-Coni had elevated levels of the protein at 6 hours but these fell rapidly to -150 pg/ml. (This may represent the lower limit of detection since serum levels remained at a plateau of 150 pg/ml out to 96 hours.)
• Bioavailability The more highly pegylated material demonstrated a higher bioavailability than the material with fewer PEG moieties. Bioavailability was calculated by comparing the serum levels after intravenous administration to those after intraduodenal administration ( Figures 13-15) . As can be seen, the serum levels after intravenous infusion have not completely returned to baseline after 96 hours for the pegylated IFN-Con ⁇ . However, values for the bioavailability as determined from the area under the curve (AUC) were determined and are summarized in Table 11 below.
• Intravenous Intraduodenal Intravenous Intraduodenal .
• the PEG-G-CSF used above was a population of molecules wherein a majority contained at least three polyethylene glycol molecules attached thereto (see infra) .
• the level of derivitization was similar to the more highly derivatized PEG-IFN-Con ⁇ (Fl) .
• the results in Table 12 show that these two derivatized proteins have similar bioavailability from the enteral route when they are compared to the unmodified protein infused intravenously. Therefore, a preferable form of a pegylated cytokine for enteral and therefore oral delivery, is a highly pegylated derivative.
• AAACTGTGCC ATCCGGAAGA GCTGGTACTG CTGGGTCATT CTCTTGGGAT CCCGTGGGCT 180
• Lys Cys Leu Glu Gin Val Arg Lys lie Gin Gly Asp Gly Ala Ala Leu 20 25 30

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  • 1995-02-08 AT AT95911690T patent/ATE203415T1/de active
  • 1995-02-08 DE DE69521880T patent/DE69521880T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
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  • 1995-02-08 DK DK00122148T patent/DK1090645T3/da active
  • 1995-02-08 DK DK95911690T patent/DK0726778T3/da active
  • 1995-02-08 EP EP95911690A patent/EP0726778B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-02-08 AU AU19162/95A patent/AU1916295A/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1995-02-08 ES ES00122148T patent/ES2251924T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1995-02-08 PT PT95911690T patent/PT726778E/pt unknown
• 2001
  • 2001-03-26 US US09/818,430 patent/US20020099001A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2001-08-23 HK HK01105975A patent/HK1036214A1/xx not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2001-09-17 GR GR20010401483T patent/GR3036625T3/el unknown
• 2003
  • 2003-01-15 US US10/345,639 patent/US20030185795A1/en not_active Abandoned

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